7 Thanksgiving Dishes to Make In The Microwave, So You Can Free Up The Oven

Of all the holidays, Thanksgiving may be the best one. It is a day where you can justifiably eat as much as you physically can, all while surrounded by family and friends. I can’t think of many occasions when eating yourself into a food coma is acceptable, and I embrace it with open arms- or an open mouth, in this case.

One thing to be grateful for this year is that you no longer have to wait hours for said food to finish cooking. Although cooking your Thanksgiving dishes in the microwave may be frowned upon by your mother, it’s the best alternative modern technology can offer. After all, who wants to spend all day in the kitchen, especially if you're just to whipping up a meal for two. And technically, cooking in the microwave still qualifies as homemad. So suck on that mom!

Quick and delicious go together like ice cream and pumpkin pie — and did I mention you can make that in a microwave too? Everything from mashed potatoes, to cranberry sauce, and an apple pie recipe so good that you’ll never go back to the oven again can be made in a matter of minutes. And that’s definitely something to be thankful for.

1Twice “Baked” Potato

Adriana of A Cozy Kitchen gives two options when it comes to microwavable twice baked potatoes. There’s the healthy version, or the decadent one. But both are delicious and can be made in the microwave, so you can’t go wrong.

2Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes

Shawn from I Wash, You Dry has created the perfect mashed potato recipe. It’s quick, delicious, tastes just like the mashed potatoes from your childhood, without the fuss of boiling and waiting.

3Microwave Maple Orange Cranberry Sauce

Another instant twist on a classic Thanksgiving dish. Made with real cranberries and a hint of maple and citrus, Sumptuous Spoonfuls' cranberry sauce makes the perfect side dish.

4Five-Minute Microwave Apple Crumble

It doesn’t get better than Averie Cooks' single-serving apple crumble. You don’t even have to preheat your oven to enjoy that apple pie you’ve been craving all season.

5Microwave Peanut Butter Fudge

Confessions of a Cookbook Queen isn’t joking when she calls her peanut butter fudge easy. It’s made with four ingredients you’re sure to have on hand and a microwave. Talk about a double win.

6One-Minute Pumpkin Spice Cake

Waiting for (what feels like) hours for your favorite Thanksgiving treat to bake is a thing of the past thanks to Cassie, the clever blogger behind Back to Her Roots. Her recipe for one-minute pumpkin spice cake is the perfect treat for one and adds a healthy kick to boot.